Lil Nas X Acknowledges ‘Copying’ FKA Twigs Music Video After Backlash

Lil Nas X was recently accused of copying FKA Twigs' music video for 2019's "Cellophane," after his "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" music video was heavily compared online to hers.

21-year-old Lil Nas X acknowledged the backlash yesterday on his Instagram saying, "i want to show love to @fkatwigs &a @andrewthomashuang ! the “cellophane” visual is a masterpiece. i was not aware that the visual would serve as inspiration for those who worked on the effects of my video. i want to say thank u to twigs for calling me and informing me about the similarities between the two videos, as i was not aware they were so close. was only excited for the video to come out. i understand how hard you worked to bring this visual to life. you deserve so much more love and praise. 🏹🤍"

Lil Nas X hired pole choreographer Kelly Yvonne for his music video, whom FKA Twigs used for "Cellophane." In "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," Lil Nas X slides down a stripper pole from heaven to hell in a sequence resembling 33-year-old Twigs' video. Daily Mail reports Lil Nas X co-directed his Biblical video with Tanu Muino and borrowed the title from Luca Guadagnino's 2017 film Call Me by Your Name. Lil Nas X also reportedly attempted to hire the Cellophane director Andrew Thomas Huang, who criticized him in a Twitter thread.

Shortly after Lil Nas X's Instagram post, FKA twigs posted her own statement on the media platform thanking Lil Nas X for acknowledging the similarities between their two visuals. She wrote: "thank you @lilnasx for our gentle honest conversations and for acknowledging the inspiration cellophane gave you and your creative team in creating your iconic video! i think what you have done is amazing and i fully support your expression and bravery in pushing culture forward for the queer community. legend status."